SERENITY NOW

By: B -- 4/18/05

Downfall is an educational war drama that documents the Nazi party during the final week of Hitler’s life, as he and his army refuse to surrender though they know the war has been lost. Hitler is one of about a dozen main characters; generals, assistants, secretaries, children and soldiers all receive ample screen time. The abundance of characters makes the development of empathy unlikely, and the idea of sympathy is even more remote. These are the Nazis, after all.

The fact that the entire movie takes place after the war has been decided makes Downfall seem like a 150-minute final act. The most interesting finding was the film’s portrayal of Hitler’s personality. Where I had envisioned him as a calm, conniving Montgomery Burns-like leader, he was depicted as a hothead that closer resembled Frank Costanza.

Heavy on education and light on entertainment, Downfall reminded me of the war films I was shown in high school, and thus, mostly failed in holding my attention.

POP RATING: 4

CRITICAL RATING: 6.5

B’S RATING: 5.5

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